The $90.37 million bond includes $82.5 million in construction to be undertaken by the Parsons Transportation Group, based in Washington, D.C.

Positive train control uses GPS, radio signals and computers to monitor a train's position and automatically slow or stop trains to prevent a collision or derailment. Troubled by deadly derailments, Congress ordered railroads to install positive train control in 2008.

Congress recently shifted the deadline for railroads to install the system from December to December 2018.

Railroads, like the South Shore commuter line, planned to shut down service Jan. 1 because it couldn't make the deadline. NICTD general manager Mike Noland credited a bipartisan effort for the extension.

Noland said the bond sale won't close until January and the Indiana Department of Transportation needs to approve the contracts.

In the meantime, Noland said some up-front money will be given to Parsons so the firm can begin ordering equipment and supplies. He said construction on the cars would be done by pulling two cars out of service at one time. NICTD is also constructing a building on its property in Michigan City where Parsons can install the equipment on the cars, Noland said.

The positive train control system must operate with other railroads that share the same line. The Metra commuter line in Chicago has also hired Parsons to install its system estimed to cost about $350 million.

A version of this article appeared in print on November 11, 2015, in the News section of the Chicago Tribune with the headline "NICTD to spend $90M on positive train control" —
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